Smith, Steele file for re-election to legislature

HAZARD – Twenty-six people have filed to run for office in the 2014 election in Perry County, including both members of the state legislature representing Perry County.

Republican Senator Brandon Smith, who serves as the majority whip in the Kentucky Senate, filed for re-election on Thursday. He will be seeking his third term in the Senate, and second full term. A former member of the House, Smith was originally elected to the Senate in 2008 to fill the remainder of former Sen. Daniel Mongiardo’s term.

Rep. Fitz Steele, a Democrat from Hazard, is seeking his fourth term in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2008, and ran unopposed during the past two elections in 2010 and 2012.

At present, both Steele and Smith are unopposed, though challengers have until Jan. 28 to file.

The following is a list of local candidates from Perry County who have filed to run for office in 2014, as of 3 p.m. on Friday: